Grace Mykonos – Mykonos, Greece

Sister hotel to the renowned Grace Santorini, the Grace Mykonos is a white-hot boutique hotel sitting above Agios Stefanos’ sandy beach and its glittering emerald and turquoise sea, less than 10-minutes north of Mykonos Town.

On arrival at the bijoux white oasis, guests are greeted by an eager-to-please group of staff, including the Deputy Manager (who appears to never sleep!) and offered a glass of champagne while check-in is completed before setting off on a brief tour of this perfectly formed bolt-hole.

The reception area has guest laptops, a print and DVD library, small art gallery and tiny shop. Three floors up (lift available) is the restaurant and pool which has what must be the best views across the bay, over to Mykonos Town and beyond to Delos island.

There’s no getting away from it, the bedrooms are compact to say the least but with the glorious weather time is mostly spent outside and there’s enough space for a small desk, large wardrobe, plus the queen size beds are very comfortable.

All windows and doors have shutters for extra privacy and a solid night’s sleep, plus there is air-conditioning in case the infamous Cyclades Islands’ breeze blows in the wrong direction.

Check-in 2pm / check-out 12noon.

SCENE:

A surprising number of American and Australian holidaymakers, along with a smattering of British, French, Italian and Spanish.

FUEL:

Breakfast – The best meal of the day is available from 8-11am on the roof terrace by the pool or in-room for an extra 5€ tray service. Menus change daily and printed versions are left in bedrooms the night before – expect creamy fresh Greek yoghurt with blueberries, honey and walnuts, fruit salad, homemade chocolate and nut cereal bars, pastries and bread, and two ‘main’ dishes: usually a savoury one such as scrambled eggs with local ham and halloumi, along with a sweet option such as fluffy pancakes with white chocolate and bananas.

Lunch & Dinner – A varied Mediterranean-influenced menu showcasing local ingredients is available all day long, ranging from good to outstanding, and if there’s nothing that takes your fancy, the excellent chef will also be happy to make something special.

PLAY:

Swimming pool – The stunning turquoise-green square pool has been brilliantly designed with a shallow side which is great for sipping cocktails and paddling in, while the soft gravel stone floor slopes gently into a deeper section ideal for more serious swimming and diving. Sunbeds around the pool look out to sea and are like gold dust, particularly at the weekend.

Gym – Small yet well equipped. You can also ask for gym essentials to be available in your bedroom.

Not a cloud in the sky yet a welcome breeze; highs of 28C degrees with balmy evenings dipping to around 23C.

ACCESS:

Mykonos airport is a 10-minute drive away and the hotel can arrange transfers (shared: 15€ per room one way; private: 30€ per room one way).

TOP TIPS:

Pop your name down for a lift into town one evening via the hotel’s convenient and free shuttle bus, wander the pretty small streets, buy some Greek leather sandals at Liontis (Matoyiavvi 55 / +30 22890 23482 / www.liontis-sandals.gr) and have dinner at stylish Interni which has a stunning garden and serves the fantastic Bloody Mary cocktails (Matoyiannia, Mykonos / t: +30 22890 26333 / info@interni-restaurant.gr/www.interni-restaurant.gr)

Don’t expect the sea to be warm, even at the beginning of July!

Splurge on a Junior suite to secure a plunge pool, terrace and double-sunbed.

THE FAT MOUSE VERDICT:

The Good – The staff are genuinely lovely and friendly – especially Dmitry, gorgeous Christina, Angelo and Katerina in the restaurant, plus Iliana in reservations/reception – and there’s a sense that anything is possible and certainly nothing is too much trouble; the minimalist, unfussy, clean and calming décor; the brilliant breakfasts.

The Bad – The wi-fi was very disappointing and a toenail clipping was found in the plunge pool.

MACARON RATING:

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The Fat Mouse loves everything cool, design-led, fun, new or undiscovered. A lesser-known, particularly curious and greedy town-dwelling descendant of the ordinary Norfolk field mouse, The Fat Mouse is on a mission to seek out and share the best in food and travel.